The Exhibitor (1952)

COLUMBIA Eight Iron Men Melodrama Estimate: Suspensive war films. Cast: Bonar Colleano, Arthur Franz, Lee Marvin, Mary Castle, David McMahon, Richard Kiley, Nick Dennis, James Griffith, Dick Moore, George Cooper, Bar¬ ney Phillips, Robert Nichols, Richard Grayson, Douglas Henderson. Associate producers, Edna and Edward Anhalt; directed by Edward Dmytryk; a Stanley Kramer production. Story: A squad of soldiers, tied down for 17 days in a heavily bombarded sec¬ tion during World War II, are beginning to bend under the strain. When George Cooper, least capable of the eight, is bog¬ ged down in a shell hole under machine gun fire, the others are determined to get him out. Sergeant Lee Marvin, a stickler for regulations, opposes any rash move, but eventually seeks an okeh from the higher-ups, who say no as the unit is to move out. Rather than leave Cooper be¬ hind, Marvin and others go after him but are unsuccessful. Bonar Colleano, whose only concern seems to be women, goes out on his own, and destroys the machine gun nest, bringing in Cooper, who had given himself a hypo, and who was sleeping soundly. Even the captain, who had opposed the move, is grinning as the men move out. X-Ray: A suspensive episode of World War II, this is well-produced and directed but lacks marquee strength and is ex¬ tremely verbal. Those who appreciate bet¬ ter things in film making, from the critical angle, should take to it but the other houses may find the going slow. Perform¬ ances are well above the average. The only women in the cast are used as glimpses in dream sequences, but they could be used effectively in the selling. This is a film that will need work. It is based on Harry Brown’s play, “A Sound Of Hunting.” Tip On Bidding: Fair program price. Ad Lines: “Eight Men With Women On Their Minds”; “They Were ‘Eight Iron Men’ ”; “A Gripping Story Of Men Who Gave Everything.” The Four Poster Comedy Drama 103m. Estimate: High rating offering will get best response in art and class spots. Cast: Lilli Palmer, Rex Harrison. A Stanley Kramer production; directed by Irving Reis. Story: Lilli Palmer enters the bedroom to spend the first night with her husband, Rex Harrison, and is horrified at the sight of the huge four poster bed. The shy girl does everything in her power, including starting an argument, to prevent their going to sleep. However, this is soon accomplished, and the two settle down to married life. Harrison gets fired as a teacher, and turns his hand to writing. He becomes a success. Children start to come. Palmer and Harrison are happy for a number of years when he suddenly tells her he is in love with another woman, and wants a divorce. The shrewd Palmer agrees, with no quarrel, which causes Harrison to realize he still loves his wife, and that he had been going through a restless period. As Harrison’s income and success increases, the couple see less and less of each other as they are taken up with various social obligations. World War I takes their son away. The years fly by quickly, and the two of them are well into middle age. It is now Palmer’s turn to go through a restless period. She Published weekly by Jay Emanuel Publications, Inc. Publishing office: 246-248 North Clarion Street, Philadelphia 7, Pennsylvania. New York office: 1600 Broadway, New York 19. West Coast Representative: Paul Manning, 81 13'A West Fourth, Los Angeles 36, California. Jay Emanuel, publisher; Paul J. Greenhalgh, general manager; Her¬ bert M. Miller, editor; Max Cades, business manager; George Nonamaker and Mel Konecoff, associate editors. The original Vink Section evaluation of features, short subjects. SECTION TWO Vol. 48, No. 25 OCTOBER 22, 1952 meets a younger man with whom she be¬ lieves she is in love, and asks Harrison to set her free. After much arguing and pleading Palmer comes to her senses, and they settle down to watching their daughter grow and go out on her own. When Palmer dies, Harrison is desperate, but goes on with his work until he happily joins her in death. X-Ray: Translating the stage hit into a film, this manages to maintain a high level of interest even though there are only two performers, confined to a single room, with outside action expertly handled through the use of fine UPA cartoon sequences. There is no questioning the merit of this picture, although it appears as if the class spots, art houses, and metropolitan centers should do more with it than the other situations. Those liking adult entertainment should go for it, top. Both Palmer and Harrison are aces in their roles, and production and direction are of a high order. This needs intensive selling, but word-of-mouth should help considerably. The play was written by Jan de Hartog, with screen play by Allan Scott. Tip On Bidding: Higher bracket for the class and big city situations. Ad Lines: “Rex Harrison And Lilli Palmer In One Of The Most Entertain¬ ing And Unusual Films Of The Year”; “A Brilliant Film Version Of The Broad¬ way Stage Hit”; “The Rich And Warm Story Of A Marriage.” Romantic Ladies Of The Chorus 61m. (Reissue) Estimate: Monroe name should help reissue. Cast: Marilyn Monroe, Adele Jergens, Rand Brooks, Nana Bryant, Eddie Garr, Steven Geray, Bill Edwards, Marjorie Hoshelle, Frank Scannell, Dave Barry, Alan Barry, Myron Healey, Robert Clarke, Gladys Blake, Emmett Vogan, Bobby True Trio. Produced by Harry A. Romm; di¬ rected by Phil Karlson. Story: Chorus girl Marilyn Monroe be¬ comes a new burlesque star when featured dancer Marjorie Hoshelle walks out after a fight with Monroe’s mother, Adele Jer¬ gens, once a burlesque queen herself but now also in the chorus. Jergens watches the development of Monroe’s attachment to socialite Rand Brooks. His mother, Nana Bryant, unaware of Monroe’s burlesque background, finds herself attracted to her, and arranges an engagement party. Al¬ though the guests are shocked when Mon¬ roe is identified as a burlesque entertainer, Bryant accepts her. A double wedding is in the offing, Monroe to Brooks and Jer¬ gens to former burlesque comic Eddie Garr. X-Ray: When first reviewed in The Servisection of November, 1948, it was said of this reissue: “A liberal sprinkling of songs, some comedy, and pretty girls make this entertaining for the lower half despite the thin story line.” The screen play is by Harry Sauber and Joseph Carole from a story by Sauber. Songs include “Ladies Of The Chorus”, “Crazy For You”, “Every Baby Needs A Da-DaDaddy”, “Anyone Can See”, “You’re Never Too Old”, and “Ubangi Love Song.” This is obviously re-released to cash in on the current popularity of Monroe. Tip On Bidding: Usual reissue price. Ad Lines: “The Year’s Sizzling Sensa¬ tion, Marilyn Monroe, As A Burlesque Queen”; “That Hot Hollywood Sensation In A Musical With A Burlesque Back¬ ground”; “Marilyn Monroe Bares Love Secrets Of Burlesque’s ‘Ladies Of The Chorus’.” MGM The Prisoner Of Zenda (308) Costume Melodrama 101m. (Color by Technicolor) Estimate: Headed for the better money. We 'LAY IT ON THE LINE'... and call a "Stinker" a "Stinker" side stepping . . . but just cold honest evaluation in these . . . MOST FACTUALLY HONEST of all Trade Press REVIEWS Don’t take our word for this. Check ’em against your playoff! 3397